Despite the challenges of the day at Ironbull Ultra Trail in Wausau, Wisconsin, the final finisher, Justin Gaiche, discovered that overcoming fear was the biggest hurdle in his journey. “Just signing up is harder than the race itself,” said the first-time ultrarunner. Justin’s journey into the world of ultrarunning began when he became a hunter who embraced the physical demands of trekking through wild terrain. Ironbull Ultra Trail, a rugged 50k course with guided bushwhack sections and 7,000 feet of elevation gain and loss, was a natural fit for his first ultra.
Once Justin signed up for the race, he started doing the work, and slowly realized that he was capable of more than he ever imagined. Despite increasing his runs, Justin still hesitated to identify himself as a runner. It’s a sentiment many in the running community share—people who run several times a week but don’t see themselves as athletes. “I’m using it as a tool for the other thing that’s my biggest passion—hunting,” said Justin. “But I tell you what, it gets a hold of you.” Justin’s goals in running were originally about staying fit for hunting, but he found himself embracing the sport with each step he took, captivated by the sense of accomplishment and the welcoming running community.
Justin was initially motivated by his wife, Nicole, who was training for the Ironbull Ultra Trail 15k, held concurrently with the 50k. The trail running community, the couple discovered, was far more inclusive and encouraging than other competitive environments they had experienced. As a lifelong hunter, Justin was used to a culture where success is defined by results—landing the biggest game or winning a fishing tournament. But running, especially ultrarunning, offers a different perspective. “Outdoor Life magazine isn’t calling the guy who shot a spike buck,” he jokes, reflecting on how rare it is to celebrate the person who finishes last. But in ultrarunning, he realized, finishing is a win in itself. Even though he was the slowest finisher in his first ultramarathon, the camaraderie and mutual encouragement among runners made the experience fulfilling.
The journey to that 50k race was not without its challenges. Two months before the race, Justin was sidelined by intense hip pain that left him questioning whether or not he should even compete.
On race day, Justin woke up with an unexpected sense of optimism. Despite his minimal training in the weeks leading up to the race, he felt ready, armed with a carefully planned strategy to tackle the rugged course traversing Rib Mountain. But as with many races, things didn’t go perfectly. He battled nausea and dizziness in the unseasonably hot autumn afternoon, symptoms that forced him to sit for over 30 minutes on the trail, unsure whether he would be able to continue. In the midst of his discomfort, he found joy in the trails he’s come to know. “The biggest thing was seeing the trails in such a positive light in the last mile in reflection of finishing,” said Justin. He finished the race, not in record time, but with a deep sense of accomplishment.
For Justin, the journey stretched far beyond running or hunting through personal growth, resilience, and proving to himself and others that with the right mindset, anything is possible. And now that he’s swallowed a full dose, he’s looking forward to setting future goals in the sport.
He emphasized, “If I can do it, you can too,” says the ex-linebacker, genuinely believing that everyone has the potential to achieve great things. “The only person holding you back is you,” added Nicole.